Facilities Newsletter 10 - September 2019

Newsletter September 2019

INFRASTRUCTURE STRATEGY CONSULTATION WORKSHOPS ROLLED OUT ACROSS THE STATE Football NSW’s Facilities and Advocacy Unit have been travelling across the state to consult with various football associations and councils on the Football infrastructure priorities within each region.

the Football Facilities Audit, barriers and/or issues, survey key findings, GIS mapping, development opportunities, infrastructure priorities, the creation of the Football framework and next steps.

With the Football NSW Football Facilities Audit now complete, The Facilities & Advocacy Unit turns their attention to the next phase of the process with the development of a ten-year Football Infrastructure Strategy.

The aim of the strategy is to create a strategic framework for the planning and development of Football infrastructure across NSW to help increase current participation numbers and to sustain the game in the future.

GROW, DEVELOP & PROMOTE THE GAME

THIS ISSUE

The consultation workshops have taken place within Speers Point, Hunter Region, Sydney Metro, Western, Riverina and Southern Branches inviting in the relevant associations and councils to discuss the results of

The consultation workshops are one of the most important pieces of establishing the foundations of the strategy as the feedback provided will showcase Football’s infrastructure vision and ensure it is aligned with Local and State Government priorities.

Football NSW Infrastructure, Planning & Strategy Manager Jas Virdee acknowledged the hard work and collaboration between various organisations which has slowly seen an uphill turn in the development of football facilities across the state.

“With input from associations and councils we will create a state-wide strategy and local football facility plans, which will drive the football facility supply, demand and investment into existing and future infrastructure projects.

02 A WIN FOR GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL

03 GRANT/FUNDING UPDATE 08 SYNTHETICS 10 AUSCO MODULAR

10 NSW GOVERNMENT BACKS 2023 FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP BID

“The strategy and local facility plans will highlight collaboration as the key driver for integrated planning between Local, State and Federal Governments and Football.

Further consultation with Football Associations, Local Councils and State Government will take place in the coming months with a draft NSW Football Infrastructure Strategy due by the end of the year.

“This will strengthen relationships and help to achieve common objectives by improving infrastructure for the benefit of local communities”.

To keep updated on the status of the strategy and to find out more information click here.

A WIN FOR GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL Football NSW, Northern NSW Football and leading national modular construction company, Ausco Modular, have partnered to deliver high-specification changerooms and facilities for all club levels.

A dramatic surge in grassroots sports participation, especially in female leagues has highlighted the growing infrastructure needs of football clubs across New South Wales.

To support future planning Football NSW and Northern NSW Football recently completed a detailed analysis of every football venue in NSW, including clubrooms, change rooms and match official amenities, to develop a Football Infrastructure Strategy for the period of 2020–2030.

Ausco Modular has collaborated with Football NSW and Northern NSW Football as their Official Modular Facilities Partner and will work closely with the infrastructure team to design and deliver building solutions that will broaden participation and support growth in football by improving the quality, access and condition of football facilities and amenities across New South Wales. Ausco Modular delivers facilities up to 60% faster and more efficiently than traditional site-built construction methods and at 15-30% less cost.

“We’re delighted to partner with Ausco Modula said Stuart Hodge, CEO Football

NSW. With over 22% of football venues not having change rooms, 64% not having referees room and only 12% of changerooms being female friendly, we look forward to developing football specific facilities and increasing the quality of football infrastructure in NSW” he said.

Ausco Modular Executive, Adrian Moffatt, said Ausco is excited to be assisting Football NSW and Northern NSW Football with the implementation of their Football Infrastructure Strategy and helping clubs to facilitate their need for new or upgraded facilities.

David Eland, CEO Northern NSW Football, who was equally enthused by the partnership said “Football engages with so many individuals in every suburb across NSW which makes facility improvements such as amenity upgrades, at the grassroots level vital to football and entire communities, we welcome the partnership and look forward to working with the team from AUSCO.”

“The lower build cost, significant timesavings, our in-house design services and end-to-end project management makes Ausco Modular sporting facilities perfect for clubs where administrative and playing resources are already stretched,” he said.

Have you visited our new

WEBSITE?

www.footballfacilities.com.au 02 | FOOTBALL FACILITIES | FACILITIES & ADVOCACY UNIT | SEPTEMBER 2019 NEWSLETTER

Visit www.ausco.com.au/sports-facilities to find out more.

GRANT/FUNDING UPDATE FOOTBALL BENEFITS FROM FEDERAL PROMISES The Federal Election was certainly a successful one for football with several clubs receiving much needed funding for football infrastructure. Both the Coalition and Labor parties made a number of election promises through their respective election campaigns.

Over $6.5 million will be provided to local community clubs to increase the capacity of their facility. The election promises ranged from funding for new synthetic fields, floodlight upgrades and field upgrades including drainage and irrigation.

The clubs situated in the Federal Electorate of Banks benefitted with a number of election promises from The Hon. David Coleman including: • $1.3 million for a synthetic field •$ 750,000 to upgrade floodlighting across the electorate which will see upgraded lighting to fields in both the St George FA and Bankstown District Soccer FA.

• $500,000 for a new amenity building at Oatley Park.

Other projects of note include: • $450,000 from John Alexander, Member for Bennelong for Carlingford Ovals. This project will involve the upgrade of fields and lighting at the venue for Roselea FC. The lighting at Carlingford Ovals has been

a major concern for many years, but now this funding will ensure the fields at lit to Australian Standard.

• Knapsack Park will also receive $1.3 million for major re-developments at the park which will include a new clubhouse and car park facilities.

MAJOR FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES The peak period for infrastructure grants is upon us now which means it’s the perfect time for football clubs across NSW to apply for funding.

Large infrastructure grants for clubs, associations and zones are a fantastic way to improve major infrastructure in the local community.

Currently there are two major infrastructure grants available, one for metropolitan Sydney and one for regional NSW. In Sydney, Round 2 of the Greater Sydney Sports Facility Fund (GSSFF) is currently open with funding between $500,000 and $5 million available for the upgrade and improvement of new and existing facilities across Greater Sydney.

In regional NSW the Stronger Country Communities Fund is currently open with the objective of the fund to provide assistance to projects that improve the lives of people who live in regional areas. This fund sees $100 million available for regional communities with $50 million dedicated to community infrastructure.

Government investment through grant programs as above are important for every sport in NSW, particularly football. As the largest participation sport in NSW and Australia facility upgrades are vital to ensure the sport can handle the population increase that NSW will experience over the next 20 years. In 2036 it is estimated that NSW will have a population over 9.9 million that’s an increase of over 2.2

million in 20 years. If we refer to current participation rates, by 2036 NSW will see an additional 80,000 people participating in football.

The Facilities and Advocacy Unit strongly suggests clubs work with their respective councils to submit an application to either the Greater Sydney Sports Facility Fund and Stronger Country Communities Fund.

This is a fantastic opportunity that shouldn’t be missed. Both grants close mid to late September.

LOOKING FOR FUNDING? If you are seeking funding for your club, association or zone whether it be for a community service, fundraiser or refurbishment of amenities blocks there is some good news for you.

Community grant applications are generally split into three different paths that can be accessed by clubs. All levels of government give out grants, as do many foundations and some corporations.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION footballfacilities.com.au

For further details on grant opportunities please check out the grants document available here.

FOOTBALL FACILITIES | FACILITIES & ADVOCACY UNIT | SEPTEMBER 2019 NEWSLETTER | 03

GRANT/FUNDING UPDATE SIX COMMUNITY FOOTBALL CLUBS AWARDED $332,288 IN FIRST ROUND OF NORTHERN NSW FOOTBALL FACILITIES FUND Six community football clubs throughout Northern NSW have received funding for significant infrastructure projects to improve club facilities through Northern NSW Football’s (NNSWF) Facilities Fund.

The grants will facilitate a total investment of $786,401 in community football facilities when aggregated with other funding pledges. The establishment of the Facilities Fund is aligned to NNSWF’s goal to improve the accessibility and overall quality of football facilities throughout Northern NSW. In all, 17 submissions were made for the first round of funding which closed 31 March 2019.

Northern NSW Football CEO David Eland said the submissions which were reviewed against predetermined criteria with independent review, were impressive.

“We had many submissions which were of very high quality and whilst we couldn’t fund all projects in this inaugural round, the projects which were successful addressed vital challenges of safety of players through lighting and improving facilities for members.”

Successful projects in this round were: Applicant

Zone

Project Description

Project Cost

NNSWF Grant Contribution

Coffs Coast Tigers FC

NCF

Installation of new lighting to field 2 & upgrade of lighting to field 1.

$243,500

$99,500

Iona FC

FMNC

Lighting of Iona Football Oval using to a level of 200 lux.

$86,500

$43,250

Tuncurry Forster FC

FMNC

Install new lights to Field 1 and Field 2 which currently have $256,325 no lights.

$100,000

Port United FC

FMNC

Upgrading of field lighting to comply with Australian Standards for lighting of Football Fields and improve player safety and improve spectator experience.

$76,450

$38,225

Northern Storm FC

NCF

New canteen.

$67,000

$23,000

Sawtell FC

NCF

Renovation of existing facilities to ensure they are more female friendly and inclusive for all playing and nonplaying participants

$56,626

$28,313

Northern NSW Football’s Facilities Fund was established to provide assistance for football clubs who partner with local stakeholders such as Local Government Authorities, State Government, schools, other sports, and relevant landowners to: • Improve the football experience for players, referees, coaches, administrators and spectators • Provide opportunities for more participants to play more football, more frequently.

• Improve the safety of community facilities • Provide more inclusive football opportunities with clubs

“With growing demand, clubs are finding it increasingly difficult to provide and maintain facilities which meet users’ needs and expectations.

“The Fund provides clubs another avenue to seek significant funding for facility projects and in turn increase participation, improve safety and security, assist in building stronger communities through football and improve the overall football experience for their members and stakeholders.

Whilst $325,000 was available this round, Northern NSW Football committed a further $7,288 to the pool to ensure all six successful submissions were fully funded and able to be completed.

CASE STUDY Gladesville-Hornsby Football Association and Macquarie Dragons Football Club along with the City of Ryde Council have taken full advantage on the benefits this grant possess.

04 | FOOTBALL FACILITIES | FACILITIES & ADVOCACY UNIT | SEPTEMBER 2019 NEWSLETTER

The 2020 round of funding for the NNSWF Facilities Fund will open 1 November 2019 and close 5pm, 31 March 2020.

All Northern NSW Football Clubs are invited to submit projects for consideration. For examples of eligible projects please refer to the fund guidelines.

For further information or guidance clubs can direct enquiries to Northern NSW Football’s Senior Officer of Club Development on 02 4941 7205 or rhicks@northernnswfootball. com.au.

GRANT/FUNDING UPDATE NEW IRRIGATION SYSTEM FOR SOUTH CARDIFF FC South Cardiff FC are the recipients of a new irrigation system for their Fields at Ulinga Sporting Complex. This upgrade is courtesy of round 2 of the Asian Cup 2015 Legacy Fund. $135,916.

The project included the remediation of the playing surface to Fields 3 and 4 with the installation of an underground irrigation system. The objectives of the project are to improve the turf conditions through intensive reconditioning of the soil quality. This process will assist with growth and stabilisation of the present cultivar.

The comprehensive 2018 Football Facilities Audit found that 45% of fields across the state did not have any form of irrigation and/or drainage. Irrigation and drainage play a vital role in assisting to improve the carrying capacity of turf fields.

There are many forms of irrigation systems with many clubs across the state having to manually move a water gun around the field. The ideal watering system for sports fields are pop-up sprinklers that are environmental and economical friendly that will significantly enhance the quality of the fields providing a safe playing area for all participants.

The installation of the irrigation system will allow the club to grow and provide further opportunities for the community to engage in health initiatives and activities.

Irrigation is more than just supplying water to improve turf growth.

Irrigation can also be used when: • Application of a soluble farm-type fertilizer has been used

• With respect to a pesticide application • Reduce surface hardness caused by heavy field use • Cool the surface.

The installation of the irrigation system will also benefit the local Cricket Club, local primary school and other sporting community groups who presently use the ground.

FACILITY UPGRADES THANKS TO THE ASIAN CUP LEGACY FUND Projects continue to be completed across the state thanks to the 2015 NSW Asian Cup Legacy Fund. Earlier this year Temora United Soccer Club completed their long-awaited amenity building after years of planning and fundraising.

Temora United Soccer Club are part of Football Wagga Wagga in the states Riverina branch.

Prior to receiving the funding, the club had a lack lustre amenity building that simply didn’t cater for the needs of the expanding club. In 2019 they now have a building that meets relevant Australia Standards and meets the demands of the club now and in the future.

The new building sees a new canteen, large unisex home and away change rooms, plenty

of storage for the club and a large awning to protect its members from the elements.

Temora United project managed the build and worked with a number of local trades to produce an amenity building which has brought so much joy to club members and the local community.

Temora United received $61,000 from the

Asian Cup Legacy Fund in Round 2 for the building with the club also contributing $61,000 with the local council funding the remainder $109,000.

This project by Temora United is a brilliant example of how a partnership with local council and state government can benefit all parties and leave a long-lasting impact on the community.

LILI PILLI FC OFFICIALLY OPEN THEIR NEW CLUBHOUSE Prime Minister Scott Morrison MP along with Sutherland Shire Council Mayor Carmelo Pesce officially opened Lilli Pilli Oval Clubhouse and precinct upgrade.

FOOTBALL FACILITIES | FACILITIES & ADVOCACY UNIT | SEPTEMBER 2019 NEWSLETTER | 05

GRANT/FUNDING UPDATE FOOTBALL FIELDS SHINE THANKS TO COMMUNITY INVESTMENT FUND Football NSW is delighted to announce the recipients of the second year of its highly successful ‘Let’s Light Up Football’ Campaign with 17 clubs/council’s being recently selected to receive funding.

Year Two of the Let’s Light Up Football Campaign has seen another $300,000 from the Community Investment Fund spread across NSW to provide much needed lighting upgrades for community football clubs across the state. The key objective of this Campaign is to incentivise a joint funding approach whereby matching contributions from a club and/or association is combined with local council support.

Together with projects supported in 2018, the Let’s Light Up Football campaign has now seen a total of $600,000 invested by football resulting in a further $5.8 million by clubs, associations and local councils. The key outcome is that over the first two years, 34 football fields in NSW will now be lit as a result of this campaign.

Football NSW CEO, Stuart Hodge commented, “Football NSW is thrilled to once again provide much needed funding to football clubs across NSW”.

“Improving field lighting is a fantastic opportunity for councils and clubs to increase the capacity of fields in a time when green space is scarce – none more so than in many of our associations in metropolitan Sydney”.

The recent NSW State-wide Facilities Audit revealed that lighting is a major concern

across the state with 32% of fields not having adequate lighting. For a sport predominantly played in the winter months lighting is a crucial element of any football facility allowing more hours for training and playing”.

“Lighting is a simple and effective way to improve a large number of community facilities for football”.

“The Fund was oversubscribed which again clearly demonstrates the need to light football fields across the state. Clubs are bursting at the seams and in some cases, there are

CLUB

multiple senior teams training on one full sized football field simply because there are not enough fields with lighting in their local area” added Mr Hodge.

Fourteen grounds from metropolitan Sydney will be the beneficiaries of upgraded lighting with the remaining three projects, from as far south as Eurobodalla to as far west as Narromine, being from Regional NSW. Successful applicants from the second year of the Let’s Light Up Football fund are as follows (alphabetical order):

COUNCIL

Venue

Amount

Ararat FC

City of Ryde

Tuckwell Park

$20,000

Bankstown City Sports Club

City of Canterbury Bankstown

Potts Park

$20,000

Blacktown & District Soccer FA

Blacktown City Council

William Lawson Park

$20,000

Bodalla Soccer Club

Eurobodalla Shire Council

Bodalla soccer Oval

$20,000

Bonnet Bay FC (SSFA)

Sutherland Shire Council

Tom Evans Fields

$20,000

Canterbury and District Soccer Football Association

Inner West Council

Pratten Park

$20,000

Corrimal Juniors FC

Wollongong City Council

Memorial Park

$4,803

Hurlstone Park Wanderers FC

City of Canterbury Bankstown

Ewen Park

$20,000

Miranda Magpies FC (SSFA)

Sutherland Shire Council

Seymour Shaw No.2

$20,000

Mount Pritchard Junior Soccer Club

Fairfield City Council

Joe Broad Park

$20,000

Newington Soccer Club

City of Parramatta

Newington Reserve

$20,000

Normanhurst FC

Hornsby Shire Council

Thornleigh Oval

$15,000

North Sutherland Rockets (SSFA)

Sutherland Shire Council

Sutherland Oval No.3

$20,000

Shoalhaven District Football Association

Shoalhaven Council

South Nowra Football Grounds

$20,000

Southern Districts Soccer Football Association

Liverpool City Council

Cirillo Reserve

$20,000

St Ives Football Club

Ku-Ring-Gai Council

Warrimoo Oval

$20,000

Trangie Soccer Club

Narromine Shire Council

Trangie Sporting Precinct

$5,000

The Community Investment Fund is a joint initiative of both Football NSW and Football Federation Australia (FFA) and is made possible by the FFA’s annual grant to Football NSW. 06 | FOOTBALL FACILITIES | FACILITIES & ADVOCACY UNIT | SEPTEMBER 2019 NEWSLETTER

GRANT/FUNDING UPDATE DARLING STREET OVAL RECEIVES NEW LED FLOODLIGHTING Hamilton Olympic Football Club floodlighting project has recently been completed thanks to funding from the Asian Cup 2015 Legacy Fund, Newcastle City Council and co-contribution by the club. This is a fantastic case study showcasing greater outcomes for the community with collaboration between the State Sporting Organisation, Local Government and Community Club.

The supply and installation of new floodlighting included: 4 x 25m steel floodlight columns with 24 LED floodlight fittings. The upgrade of floodlighting will now see the facility have an average of 275 lux lighting across the field, which will allow the club to be capable of hosting a range competition matches and training sessions at Darling St Oval.

The quality and number of floodlighting across the state continues to be a major issue for football. The 2018 Football Facilities Audit found 42% of fields across the state with floodlights were below Australian Lighting Standard and 32% of fields did not have any form of floodlighting.

Local sporting facilities create a place where people gather with family and friends to keep active and socialise. Across NSW, Football

has been experiencing increased demand for sporting facilities due to large participation numbers. The more fields that have floodlights accompanied by the demand to play football means councils will have to develop innovative solutions to cater for participation needs.

As the previous lighting level did not meet Australian Standards for lighting requirements, the significantly greater lux level will greatly enhance the ability for players, match officials, spectators and volunteer workers to enjoy a far better experience and feel safer when participating at the Oval.

FOOTBALL HAS IT SAY AT NATIONAL AND REGIONAL CONFERENCES There are 1.7 million playing the game nationally and over 600,000 playing within NSW (AusPlay, 2019), but not everybody understands the share demand for football on local infrastructure. The Facilities and Advocacy Unit have been tirelessly travelling interstate to Queensland and Victoria to advocate footballs story by presenting to the Turf Management Community, Government Departments and Sports Industry on having good quality facilities, which are vital to the current needs and future demands of football.

An overview of presentation topics and each conference is provided below.

• The Unit presented at the Asia Pacific Turf Grass Conference in Brisbane on the key findings from the 2018 Football Facilities Audit. Held annually, the Turfgrass Conference is the largest event of its kind attracting more than 1,250 across the Australian and Asia-Pacific golf and sports turf industries in the Southern Hemisphere, encompassing over 120 hours of education and showcasing the latest in Turf management machinery, equipment, research, technology and products.

• Parks & Leisure Australia - NSW/ACT Meeting the Demand of Tomorrow - How to Improve Sports fields Carrying Capacity for Football. There was a panel discussion with Football, AFL and Cricket to provide each greenfield codes view on the demands of tomorrow with the increase in population putting increasing pressure on local government to provide facilities that are capable of meeting this demand and what local government need to do to plan ahead to meet the needs of the community.

• Office of Sport – Central West and Orana Facilities Forum hosted by the Office of Sport about Insights from the Sports Sector to plan and design to encourage increased participation across the Central West and Orana Region. The Unit presented on the Evidence Based Planning for Community Sport Infrastructure and State Sport Infrastructure Strategy, which highlighted the use of data driven planning methodologies and evidence to deliver an integrated State-wide football facility supply, demand and investment strategy that guides the provision of and investment in football facilities.

• National Sports Convention - Innovation, Design, Management and Procuring a New

Synthetic/Hybrid Sports Field - Planning to achieve excellent outcomes and Reimagining Sports Management:

-T his year the NSC attracted 1,466 individual delegates, exhibitors and registered visitors over the two days

-2 37 from local/state government, 287 from sport, 148 from peak bodies in sport, education and health, 98 from education, and the Expo attracted 408 exhibitors and expo attendees

-D ecision makers were there in force with 181 CEO’s / MD’s and Board/ Councillors; 252 Directors and Leadership team members; 438 managers, and 195 team leaders/ coordinators

- I n attendance were 31 NSO’s and 81 State sport organisations represented from across the various states and territories bringing nearly 300 participants.

FOOTBALL FACILITIES | FACILITIES & ADVOCACY UNIT | SEPTEMBER 2019 NEWSLETTER | 07

SYNTHETICS Image courtesy of Wakehurst FC Facebook page.

JOY FOR WAKEHURST FC Northern Beaches Council has recently upgraded their sporting facilities at Lionel Watts Reserve in Frenchs Forest. Manly Warringah Football Association local club Wakehurst Football will benefit from upgrades ($3.4 million) to two fields that

will be playable year-round regardless of the weather. The upgrades include two full size FIFA certified synthetic football fields and a smaller junior football pitch. These two synthetic pitches at Lionel Watts compliment council’s investment in synthetic fields at

Cromer Park, Narrabeen Sports High and Melwood Oval in Forestville.

Governments funds were secured, and the project given the green light. This facility will be key to enable the Association to enhance and develop as a priority location to increase football provision that is available for the local community. There will be a 20% increase in population within Georges River Council Local Government Area over the next 16 years and

it is estimated 1200 additional people will be participating in the sport.

Council decided for an upgrade at Lionel Watts Reserve due to the intensity of use of the fields throughout the year.

PEAKHURST PARK 5 IS OPEN FOR PLAY St George Football Association celebrated the opening of a new synthetic football field that has been constructed at Peakhurst Park. The redevelopment of the field (which commenced late 2018), has been 3 years in the making and through the combined efforts of St George Football Association, Georges River Council and the State and Federal

FAIRFIELD COUNCIL FIRST PUBLIC SYNTHETIC FIELD Installation of a synthetic field has recently occurred at Fairfield Showground to turn the Sportsground past glory into a Sporting Centre of Excellence. The all-weather pitch now sits alongside the international size football field and the upgrades at Showground will help the Council bring and host large sporting and regional finals in the area. The field can be hired by local sporting groups/clubs all the way through to elite clubs and can host night training sessions and competition games.

Fairfield Council have also allocated $4.5 million to an amenities block, with restrooms, change rooms and a kiosk to help service the users, local community, participants, families and spectators.

The next phase of the development is to build a new grandstand, (renovations of the old grandstand) and walking tracks/playgrounds around the venue.

08 | FOOTBALL FACILITIES | FACILITIES & ADVOCACY UNIT | SEPTEMBER 2019 NEWSLETTER

The $3m project, includes: • FIFA synthetic football field; • Sports lighting (4 towers) • New sports amenities building (will open in October 2019)

SYNTHETICS HYBRID PITCH BRINGS NEW LIFE TO SPORTING FIELD In a first for Sutherland Shire, Harrie Dening Football Centre at Kareela is trialling a new hybrid turf that will provide a consistent playing surface all year round.

The hybrid surface consists of synthetic grass that is stitched into natural turf and has proven to increase stability and deliver considerably more playing hours than traditional grass fields. This is especially important for hightraffic areas like goal mouths and cricket pitches.

Sutherland Shire Council is collaborating with Sutherland Shire Football Association to trial the hybrid grass system on one of the lower field goal areas.

collaboratively with Council to trial this initiative.

“As the largest grassroots sporting association, with the highest per capita usage rate per field of any sport in the nation we know all too well how much time and effort is required to maintain the fields at an acceptable standard,” Mr Stewart said.

“We are thankful that Council has looked at viable alternatives to help manage and maintain the existing available green space and Harrie Dening Centre is an ideal location for this product to be trialled.”

Stephen Mallyon, General Manager of G5 Sports Turf, who installed the hybrid turf system, said it has been used across Europe on FIFA and World Rugby approved pitches and he was excited to bring the technology to the Sutherland Shire.

MEDIA RELEASE

Hybrid grass playing fields not only stay healthier for longer, they also hold less heat “We have installed SIS Grass hybrid cricket than full synthetic pitches. This means greater pitches on wickets in Brisbane at the Bupa availability to the community, especially National Cricket Centre for Cricket Australia during the hot summer months. As an added Mondayand 26 QLD August, 2019 Cricket and Adelaide again for bonus, maintenance costs of the hybrid fields Cricket Australia and the South Australian are also significantly lower than full synthetic Cricket Association, and also on playing fields facilities. at the Sydney Cricket Ground and Sydney Sutherland Shire Council Mayor, Councillor University with great success,” Mr Mallyon Carmelo Pesce said this new hybrid grass said. system would mean that more games could be played on the field, increasing the field use capacity without as much damage to the grass.

Media Contact: Ja T 02 9710 0638 E jkdyson@ssc.nsw “SIS Grass has recently been endorsed by sutherlandshire.ns ICC, Cricket Australia and the International Hockey Federation and we congratulate Sutherland Shire Council for being the first Council in Australia to trial the system.”

Sutherland Shire Council will monitor the hours of usage and wear on the field with the vision of using hybrid grass systems on other playing fields in the future.

HYBRID PITCH BRINGS NEW LIFE TO SPORTING FIELD Article Source: Sutherland Shire Council

“Sport is such a strong part of our local identity and with increasing demand placed on our playing fields, Council is committed to supporting the continued use of our parks and reserves to meet the needs of our growing population,” Mayor Pesce said.

“We have already been working hard to help our playing fields stand up to the pressure by planting stronger types of grass, utilising better maintenance practices and installing irrigation systems and this new hybrid system should be incredibly beneficial.

“By bringing together synthetic and natural turf, sporting fields will be able to withstand considerably more playing hours each year and recovery time for the grass will be much faster,” Mayor Pesce added.

Sutherland Shire Football Association (SSFA) General Manager, Jeff Stewart said that the SSFA was extremely happy to work

? KNOW

In a first for Sutherland Shire, Harrie Dening Football Centre at Kareela is trialling a new hybrid turf that will provide a consistent playing surface all year round.

DID YOU

32% of fields in

NSW do not have floodlights

The hybrid surface consists of synthetic grass that is stitched into natural turf and has proven to increase stability and deliver considerably more playing hours than traditional grass fields. This is especially important for high-traffic areas like goal mouths and cricket pitches.

Sutherland Shire Council is collaborating with Sutherland Shire Football Association to trial the hybridFOOTBALL grass system one of&the lowerUNIT field| SEPTEMBER goal areas.

FACILITIESon | FACILITIES ADVOCACY 2019 NEWSLETTER | 09

AUSCO MODULAR A dramatic surge in grassroots sports participation, especially in female leagues has highlighted the growing infrastructure needs of football clubs across New South Wales.

Football NSW, Northern NSW Football and leading national modular construction company, Ausco Modular, have partnered to

deliver high-specification changerooms and facilities for all club levels.

Ausco’s innovative modular sporting facilities include clubhouses, female-friendly changerooms and referee facilities delivered up to 60% faster and more efficiently than traditional site-built construction methods and at 15-30% less cost.

PREFERRED MODULAR SUPPLIER

CASE STUDIES ADELAIDE UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB

FRASER COAST SPORTS & RECREATION PRECINCT

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Football and netball facilities for growing sporting clubs

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NSW GOVERNMENT BACKS 2023 FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP BID NSW Premier the Hon Gladys Berejiklian MP made the announcement at Parliament House in Sydney, and FFA Chief Executive David Gallop AM said he was delighted with the government’s commitment to women’s football.

“Hosting the largest women’s sporting event in Australia in four years’ time will have a significant and positive impact on the Australian and NSW economies. Most importantly, it will secure an outstanding legacy for female sport, helping FFA achieve Gender Equality in Football through our drive towards parity in female participation, getting more females in leadership roles at all levels of the game, and improving pathways to develop the next generation of Westfield Matildas.

“I congratulate the Premier, the Minister for Tourism and the Minister for Sport for their foresight, commitment and support of FFA’s Bid. We look forward to submitting an

extremely strong Bid to FIFA, and ultimately to delivering the best-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup, with NSW playing a significant role in a successful event.”

The Premier said building world-class stadiums attracts the world’s biggest sports events and the FIFA Women’s World Cup is a highlight for women’s sport. “The world’s best women’s footballers could be scoring goals in our stadiums in 2023 and the scoreboard will show NSW winning for decades afterwards,” Ms Berejiklian said.

confirming their support of the Bid. “FFA is confident it would host the best-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023, and to maximise our chances of securing hosting rights we need to show the whole country is fully behind our Bid,” Nikou said.

“The commitment from the NSW Government is an important step in the process, and we now look forward to other Governments confirming their support to turn the prospect of a truly national event into reality.”

“We committed to bidding for 10 World Cups in 10 years because these major events drive investment into our cities, delivering social, economic and cultural benefits to NSW, particularly regional areas.”

FFA has been in discussions with the Federal and State and Territory Governments to bring the tournament to Australia in four years’ time, and Chairman Chris Nikou said he was now looking forward to other jurisdictions

010 | FOOTBALL FACILITIES | FACILITIES & ADVOCACY UNIT | SEPTEMBER 2019 NEWSLETTER

Football NSW congratulated the NSW Government for its support of the bid to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023.